Ukraine is developing a mechanism for returning conscripts from abroad: Poland will be the first to start extradition
Ukraine found itself in a situation where the issue of mobilization and protection of its territorial integrity became one of the most important aspects of its existence as a sovereign state. With the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Russia in February 2022, the country needs to mobilize its resources to the maximum, including human resources. However, not all conscripts remained in the Motherland. Many men, fearing mobilization, tried to leave the country illegally or left before the start of the war. This creates not only legal and ethical issues, but also serious threats to the defense capability of the state. In response to these challenges, Ukraine, together with its international partners, is looking for a solution for the return of these citizens to fulfill their military duties.
Currently, in cooperation with neighboring countries, in particular Poland, Ukraine is actively developing mechanisms for the return to the Motherland of those persons who illegally left the territory of the state during martial law.
Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Legal Policy Pavlo Pavlish stated, that work in this direction is being conducted at the diplomatic level, and there are already certain achievements. Mechanisms of extradition of those citizens who violated Ukrainian legislation by illegally leaving the country are discussed separately. Poland will soon become the first country to implement such measures, and negotiations with other countries are still ongoing.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is also working to return to the Motherland not only those who left illegally during the war, but also those men who left the country even before the start of full-scale Russian aggression. Procedures aimed at motivating voluntary return are being developed for this category of persons. The state plans to create conditions that will encourage such men to return to Ukraine and participate in its defense or restoration. Negotiations on this issue are ongoing, and within the framework of diplomatic activity there are already positive interim results.
In addition, Ukraine is developing accountability mechanisms for persons who broke the law and left the country during the war. According to current legislation, both administrative and criminal penalties are provided for illegal border crossing. Such sanctions include fines in the amount of 200 to 500 of the tax-free minimum income of citizens, as well as administrative arrest for a period of up to 15 days with confiscation of the means used for the offense. At the same time, the discussion of possible additional punishment measures is ongoing, which would aim not only to punish, but also to prevent new cases of illegal departure of conscripts.
